‘He’s just playing LFC mind games’ – Man City Fans react to pundit’s tittle race verdict after Van Dijk’s Injury

Jamie Carragher says Virgil Van Dijk’s Injury has hand Manchester City Advantage in Title Race.

The defending champions have confirmed that their best centre-back Virgil Van Dijk suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the Merseyside derby.

It’s a similar injury to the one suffered by Aymeric Laporte at the beginning of last season. His absence practically cost the team the Premier League title. 

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher says the title race has been blown wide open due to the injury to Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk.

When asked if Liverpool can win the title without van Dijk, Carragher said: “History says no and what I mean by that is that I went back to when I started watching football in the mid-80s.

“I went through teams who tried to retain the title, which is difficult for any champion, and for huge figures like van Dijk – not just any player but there’s three or four players in any team you feel you can’t be without for an extended period of time.

“Everton in 1986 lost Neville Southall to a broken ankle and Liverpool win the double.

“One of Liverpool’s greatest ever teams was 1988 and, the next season, Alan Hansen – the van Dijk of that team – got injured in pre-season and didn’t play until April. Arsenal won the league.

“Cantona missed half a season after the incident at Crystal Palace and Blackburn win the title.

“Roy Keane did his cruciate ligament at Leeds and Arsenal win the title then.

“Even last season, Laporte missing for half a season, Man City lose the league.

“Who knows what will would have happened? All of the players I’ve mentioned there, if they stay fit or play, I think their team win the league.

“I think if van Dijk wins the league, Liverpool win the league, but now, this massively opens it up.”

In reaction to Carragher’s opinions shared on Twitter by City Chief and Man City Xtra, City fans have expressed their thoughts and opinions.

City won it without KDB… Cara is just an excuse merchant

— Mustapha Ballack (@Mustaballack) October 19, 2020

He’s just playing LFC mind games and on Sky! Says everything about the channel

— Michael Thompson (@mickscreams2112) October 19, 2020

Smart tactics to put pressure off Liverpool

— Bombay Blue (@damned_reality) October 20, 2020

It’s amazing, 1 injury and then all of sudden they can’t win the league. City go for months without KDB/kun/Laporte and we’re expected to be a big enough club to deal with injuries and still win the league!

— George (@George__MT) October 19, 2020

Exactly my point!!! I dont understand why our fans are getting so excited about his injury when we clearly beat them 4-0 last season with him on the field.

— Adil Shaikh (@AdilSha41002424) October 19, 2020

Sorry last season when de bruyne & Laporte we’re our for decent spells the same man said “this is why the top clubs have big squads they should be able to deal with it”. Now it’s Liverpool they can’t be expected to keep up 🤔

— Skoosh82 (@skoosh82) October 19, 2020

Let’s hope, I’m thinking that Liverpool’s defence might collapse without VVD, like he’s that good for them. Similar to how our defence collapsed when Laporte tore his ACL last season. Anyways, wishing Virgil as healthy recovery 🙏

— txdobber (@tx_dobber) October 19, 2020